Sen. Johnson: One U.S. Senate candidate should "step down" after GOP Convention

MILWAUKEE (WKOW) -- Senator Ron Johnson has hinted that after the Republican Party of Wisconsin's State Convention in Milwaukee this weekend, the “weaker” GOP candidate for U.S. Senate should step down from the race.

Johnson spoke to WISN-AM Thursday, hinting that kind of move could help strength the party’s chances to beat incumbent Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

“After this convention, considering how it is, I’m hoping that somebody realizes that one person, one or the other, has got the clear shot and has the better chance of winning, and the other one withdraws voluntarily,” Johnson said.

The way the race has been going it seems unlikely that neither state Sen. Leah Vukmir or Delafield businessman Kevin Nicholson will be exiting anytime soon. Both have big endorsements and are determined to beat each other.

Senator Johnson's spokesman Ben Voelkel downplayed the remarks. “A possible convention endorsement is one of many factors in determining who is the strongest candidate to take on Sen. Baldwin,” Voelkel said.

A big portion of the convention focuses on who the Republican Party will endorse as its candidate for U.S. Senate; either Vukmir or Nicholson will be picked.

The winner of the Aug. 14 GOP primary is expected to face Baldwin in this fall's general election.